Knicks Rumors: NY Looking to Trade Picks, Money to Move into 2021 NBA Draft Lottery
The New York Knicks are reportedly exploring moving into the 2021 NBA draft lottery.
Marc Berman of the New York Post reported the Knicks are considering floating their two first-round picks (Nos. 19 and 21), along with their second-rounders (Nos. 32 and 58), to move up.
No potential targets were mentioned. The Knicks have struggled mightily to identify talent in the lottery in recent seasons, with Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox and Obi Toppin all disappointing during their NBA careers. RJ Barrett has been solid through two NBA seasons, but it's unclear whether he projects as a star.
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Moving up in the 2021 draft would be a bit of a curious decision given the class has been lauded for its depth. Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs are considered the likeliest lottery picks, but after that foursome, there is a massive contingent of players who project as solid NBA players.
No team will willingly trade out of the top four for picks in the latter half of Round 1.
It may behoove the Knicks to simply stay put where they are at and try to land a gem later on, like they did with Immanuel Quickley last season or Mitchell Robinson in 2018. Names like Sharife Cooper, Tre Mann or Jared Butler would help fill the point guard spot, while Marcus Bagley and Greg Brown are forwards who should be available toward the end of the first round.
